Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

York River Ferry

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 20, 2013

1. York River Ferry Marker

Inscription. Records indicate that regular ferry service began here as early as 1647 to cross the river between Yorktown and Gloucester Point. Ferries were licensed by the Virginia House of Burgesses and tolls, equipment, and services were regulated by colonial and later state government.

Two women, Janet Mitchell and Mary Gibbons of Yorktown, managed the ferry business in 1774. They advised “Gentlemen who cross to pay their Ferriages at the Swan Tavern” and they also assured customers reading the April 1 issue of the Virginia Gazette that “the Ferry shall be kept inferiour to none in the Colony.”

The first ferries were powered by men using oars. Later, a cable was used to pull boats across. The invention of the internal combustion engine meant boats could motor across the channel. When the George P. Coleman Bridge opened in 1952, the Virginia Department of Transportation discontinued ferry service in this location.

(captions)
Last day of service of the York River Ferry, May 7, 1952. Photo courtesy of the Watermen’s Museum.

Image courtesy of Bonnie and Jerry Karwac, Jr.

Erected 2010 by York County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts •

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Colonial Era • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1647.

Location. 37° 14.365′ N, 76° 30.585′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It can be reached from Water Street west of Buckner Street, on the right when traveling west. Located along Yorktown's Riverwalk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chesapeake Bay Watermen (here, next to this marker); Tue Marshes Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Bells Rock Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); York Spit Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Pale Moon (within shouting distance of this marker); What’s a Chesapeake Bay Deadrise? (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia Chesapeake Bay Patent Tong Work Boats (within shouting distance of this marker); George P. Coleman Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Yorktown's Riverwalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher

2. Yorktown's Riverwalk

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 11, 2026

3. York River Ferry Marker

The distance traversed by the ferry can be seen at right. The York River narrows considerably here as a result of Gloucester Point jutting out from the north bank.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 894 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 18, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.